There are many expected discomforts you feel during and after a workout. From the sweat to a little pain, sometimes these are even welcomed after a hard day at the gym because you think these should be common results. But what about heartburn, side stitch, and even dizziness during and after your regular workouts? Actually, it might be due to some bad habits you should change when you often feel dizzy after working out and you'll want to continue reading to learn just what could be the cause.
Causes of Dizziness After Working Out
You're Working Out Too Hard
If you haven't been working out regularly and jump into an intense workout regimen, your body may not be ready for it. You might have to slow things down a bit and don't forget to get yourself warm up in first to avoid dizziness.
You Haven't Eaten
It is common for most people to want to get their workout in early in the morning which means they haven't eaten breakfast yet. Doing this means your body is already low on energy since the last meal you ate was 8 or 10 hours prior. Try to eat something light 30 to 60 minutes before you start your workout.
Lack of Water Intake
When you work out, you sweat and if you are working out for long hours, you might simply not be drinking enough water. Have water close by during your workouts and take a few sips throughout your workout so you stay hydrated.
Low Blood Pressure
If you have low blood pressure, you might feel dizzy more often especially in exercises that require constant movements and poses like yoga. You want to take your time transitioning into different poses or position if you find yourself feeling dizzy after working out.
Leg Focused Workouts
Many people have an issue feeling dizzy when they focus on leg exercises. This is a common problem since most of the blood during the workout is being rushed to the leg muscles. One way to avoid this dizziness is to walk around to get the blood circulating to the rest of the body.
You Stop Suddenly
It is not uncommon for people to feel lightheaded, dizzy or even faint once they stop their exercise suddenly. While working out, the heart pumps harder and faster, which increases the blood flow to active muscles. When you suddenly stop exercising, the heart slows down and blood circulation decreases which can result in the blood pressure to drop. This drop in blood pressure is what causes dizziness. To avoid this, it is always recommended to do a cool down after any exercise.
How to Deal with Dizziness After Working Out
The first thing you should do when you start feeling dizzy or lightheaded when you are working out is to stop doing it. If you continue to exercise, you run the risk of cause more injury to yourself by falling or tripping. Sitting for just a few minutes or taking a break from your workout can help restore the blood flow to the rest of your body. A few things you can try include:
Sitting with your head between your knees;
Lying down in an open area with your feet up;
Sipping on a sport drink that has electrolytes in it;
If you are using an exercise machine, hold onto the rails tightly while you slow your pace;
If you are exercising away from your home, don't drive until the dizzy spell passes.
Preventions for Dizziness After Working Out
You can simply notice something to avoid dizziness after your workout.
Resist the urge to over-exert yourself while you are exercising. This is the best way to help prevent any dizziness during your workout.
A key factor to pay attention to is your target heart rate. If you feel dizzy after working out, you'll want to pace yourself more during your workout. Calculating your target heart rate is quite simple, just subtract your age by 220 then multiply it by .5 and .85. This will give you the range of your target heart rate you want to stay in.
Another way to prevent feeling dizzy during or after your workout is to eat a small healthy snack 30 minutes before you begin your workout. You want to eat something that will balance the carbohydrates and protein in your body. Find a drink to sip on during your workout that contains electrolytes to replace the ones you sweat out during your workout.
Warnings
Always consult a doctor when you are beginning a new exercise regimen. Talking to your doctor first will allow you to get a professional opinion of what types of exercises and workout will work for your weight, medical conditions and medical history.
Always remember that if you begin to feel dizzy during your workout, stop immediately and get medical attention. This is not a normal condition and can be an indication of a more serious issue. It can be a sign that your heart is not functioning in a proper manner. While feeling dizzy after working out is a common problem that can be the result of simply not drinking enough liquids or stopping too suddenly, the same is not the cause when feeling in the middle of a workout.
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